POLITICO London Playbook: Sheet of shame — Stormont stalemate — Catalonia’s new order

DRIVING THE DAY

SHEET OF SHAME: Westminster’s sexual harassment scandal deepened last night as reports emerged 36 serving Tory MPs are named on a “dossier of shame” being circulated by junior party aides. The spreadsheet was leaked to Guido — he published it in full with names redacted — and has also been seen by the Times’ Hannah McGrath. Guido says two serving Cabinet ministers and 18 serving ministers are accused of inappropriate sexual behavior, with their names set alongside accusations like “handsy at parties” or “perpetually intoxicated and very inappropriate with women.” The Times says at least two MPs are accused of getting their mistresses pregnant, two more of using prostitutes and one of agreeing a “non-disclosure settlement” with another MP’s researcher.

Developing story: It means questions about harassment will continue to dominate at Westminster today, despite Theresa May’s attempt to get a grip on the issue last night with her letter to Commons Speaker John Bercow calling for new procedures to support parliamentary staff. No. 10 will be braced for a barrage of questions about harassment at this morning’s lobby briefing at 11 a.m. Some MPs now want a statement from Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom in parliament, setting out next steps. The story makes the splash in more than half the nationals including the Times, the Guardian, the Telegraph, the Mail, the ‘i’ and the Metro.

Planet Tory: Guido points out the Tory dossier covers more than 10 percent of the entire parliamentary party. But given her precarious position, the PM can scarcely afford to start losing MPs. The Telegraph says May will sack any minister found guilty of harassment.

Labour Land: All the papers are keen to stress that Labour MPs are also accused of wrongdoing. The Times reckons at least four Labour MPs have been accused of “harassing young women,” including two who have served in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow Cabinet. The Guardian’s Heather Stewart says Labour MPs “believe more allegations will emerge on their own side.”

North of the border: The Daily Record splash warns harassment is also “rife” in Holyrood.

On a side note:This bizarre attempt by someone apparently working for Ruth Davidson to distance her from under-fire Tory MP Stephen Crabb is well worth checking out. Crabb apologized at the weekend for “sexual chatter” with a teenager.

Not politics but: BuzzFeed last night published extraordinary allegations in the U.S. about the actor Kevin Spacey. Spacey apologized for an incident involving actor Anthony Rapp when he was 14, saying he was horrified to hear Rapp’s story of the encounter, which he said he did not remember.

Now hear this: Plenty of interesting people are out on the airwaves this morning to discuss harassment in Westminster including Katie Perrior, Diane Abbott and Sophie Walker — see Playbook’s media round below for timings.

ICYMI LAST NIGHT

Westminster Hour: Discussions on sexual harassment dominated last night’s Westminster Hour on BBC Radio 4. Labour MP Caroline Flint said “sex goes on” in Westminster and urged her colleagues to “get a grip on what being an MP is about, put their egos in a box and stop thinking they are the greatest thing since sliced bread and can do or say what they want.” Former Culture Secretary John Whittingdale confirmed there is “bad behavior” among MPs but blamed “the nature of Westminster, where you have people who genuinely have some power, all in a place a long way from their families, often until late at night, surrounded by young people who look up to them.” He went on: “Some people abuse that. It does happen and it’s cross-party and it’s something we need to tackle. I do think it’s a minority — I don’t think my colleagues are all constantly abusing people.”

MEANWHILE IN BELFAST

NO-DEAL SCENARIO: Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire is in Belfast today as the deadline for a power-sharing deal at Stormont arrives. No one seriously expects Sinn Féin and the DUP to reach an agreement today, with the two sides still miles apart on several fundamental points. It means Brokenshire is now preparing to make a statement in the Commons tomorrow that would see him legislate to set a budget for Northern Ireland. Aides insist this is not yet full direct rule from Westminster — but it is undoubtedly a major step along that path.

Deadlock: Northern Ireland has been without an executive for almost the whole of 2017 — just as Brexit brings a new turbulence to its relationship with the rest of Ireland. Playbook understands Brokenshire has been taking advice from past secretaries of state including Peter Mandelson and Peter Hain as he hunts for ways to break the deadlock. Even Bill Clinton himself flew in this month to try to broker a deal, but to no avail. “He’s so passionate about it, but Clinton didn’t honestly make any difference,” one official close to the talks said. “Maybe 20 years ago — not now I’m afraid.”

Where do we go from here? Talks in Stormont will continue, even as Brokenshire sets a budget from Westminster to ensure public services can keep functioning. Arthur Beesley in the FT reports the draft budget does not include the £1 billion extra spending for Northern Ireland promised by Theresa May in return for DUP support. The mood among U.K. officials is currently so gloomy it is hard to see where the breakthrough will come. But find one they must — or the prospect of a return to direct rule from Westminster grows closer by the day.

Also in Belfast: Environment Secretary Michael Gove and Ireland’s EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan will both speak at the IDF World Dairy Summit this morning. Later they will hold private talks.

IN CATALONIA

NEW ORDER: Catalonia’s regional ministries will open for the first time this morning under direct rule from Madrid. The first big question is how the ousted separatist ministers will react. If leader Carles Puigdemont or members of his Cabinet try to return to work as normal this morning, the police may get involved and the situation could turn ugly. Secessionist party chiefs will meet separately today to discuss their response to Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy’s decision to call a regional election in December. POLITICO’s Diego Torres answers the seven key questions you need to know about what happens next.

Tweet del día: Carles Puigdemont celebrating Girona’s extraordinary victory over Real Madrid yesterday. The tiny Catalan side — playing in the Spanish top flight for the first time — beat Madrid 2-1 after going behind to an early goal. Fans waved Catalan flags and sang “freedom” chants. “The victory of @GironaFC over one of the world’s greatest teams is an example and a reference for many situations,” Puigdemont tweeted, along with a knowing wink.

TODAY IN WESTMINSTER

BUDGET BLUES: Philip Hammond may be forced to drop his surplus target if he wants to spend some cash in next month’s budget, the Institute for Fiscal Studies warns today. In its pre-budget briefing, the IFS says the chancellor is “caught between a rock and a hard place” as the downturn in productivity forecasts sends projected borrowing spiraling by a further £20 billion. The story makes the City A.M. splash. In the meantime Hammond may have to endure Sajid Javid making another bid for housing investment this afternoon when the communities secretary takes an hour of questions in the Commons at 2.30 p.m. The Times’ Francis Elliott says Hammond prefers cost-free radicalism, and is pushing a resistant Theresa May to review the green belt.

LEST WE FORGET: Theresa May will formally launch the Poppy Appeal today alongside members of the Royal British Legion.

LORDING IT: Labour and Lib Dem peers are planning to flex their muscles over Brexit for the first time today by amending the government’s Data Protection Bill in the Lords to include protections currently offered by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the Indy’s Ashley Cowburn reports.

PLANE SAILING? Executives from EasyJet, Heathrow Airport and other key aviation figures will discuss the impact of Brexit before the transport committee at 4.45 p.m. this afternoon … Earlier in the day Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald will be among the speakers at the Airport Operators Association annual conference in central London.

ALSO IN COMMITTEE: The public accounts committee takes evidence from HS2 executives at 5 p.m. today.

CUSTOMS EXCISED: EU27 countries simply do not have enough customs staff to cope with a no-deal Brexit, the FT’s Michael Acton warns. It means severe delays at ports could be inevitable in such a scenario, no matter how well-prepared the British side.

BROWN MEMOIRS: Extracts from Gordon Brown’s new memoirs are widely covered in this morning’s papers, with most leading on his admission he may not have had the personal touch for 21st-century politics. The Guardian write-up is here.

FINAL STRAW: Former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will discuss Iran and its role in regional security at a panel event at RUSI this morning.

PRIDE OF BRITAIN: The great and the good of Westminster will be at the annual Pride of Britain Awards tonight, hosted this year by Carol Vorderman.

PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW

CASE FOR THE DEFENSE: Nia Griffith has one of the toughest jobs on the Labour frontbench. Defense and security has been perhaps the most difficult area for the party under two years of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership — and as shadow defense secretary it is Griffith’s job to turn that around. She must do so in what feels like the most dangerous global climate in many years, and with the whole world knowing she and her leader do not see eye-to-eye on central issues. As she marks 12 months in the job, Playbook sat down with her to take stock.

Top lines: Griffith admitted Labour has a “long, hard grind” to win back public confidence on defense, urging her party to “strengthen” its message on security issues. She called on Chancellor Philip Hammond to increase defense spending in the budget next month. She depicted current Western relations with Russia as “more frightening” than the Cold War and vowed “100 percent commitment” to NATO’s shared defense treaties, backing the continued presence of British troops stationed along the Russian border.

On government defense spending: “They have real problems. What they have actually done of course is cut back dramatically in 2010 … and now the sums don’t add up in 2017. So clearly they do need to be putting money into that budget, and they do need to be making that money work effectively.”

On Labour and defense: “I think we’ve tended to concentrate very clearly on the areas we know we tend to poll very well in, such as health and education and improving people’s housing. I think it is time now to make sure people are aware Labour has always consistently spent more than Conservatives on defense, that we are very much more committed to defending defense jobs, but most importantly of all that we are absolutely committed to our armed forces. I think there is a message to get out there very definitely that Labour is standing up for our armed forces, and I think we do need to strengthen that message.”

Strong message here: “I think we began to move in that direction when Jeremy talked about the cost of security during the appalling terrorist attacks during the general election. What Jeremy is saying is that security really matters, and we have to be prepared to pay for that. And security is not just about the police, it’s about our armed forces. But it is going to be a long hard grind for us to really get that out as a strong message to people. I don’t think there’s going to be an easy way.”

On killing British jihadis in Syria: “Of course when there are situations of siege and so forth, you have to be prepared to make airstrikes — but you also have to be aware of the other methods you have, like taking people prisoner. The idea you can make a blanket statement about a whole group of people when you haven’t even defined who you are talking about is worrying.”

On Boris Johnson: “I am extremely concerned. I think the comments he has made going around the world are not helpful. He is unpredictable and he is unapologetic when he does make stupid comments. You cannot predict that tomorrow he won’t say something ridiculous. That is the real worry. I don’t believe for one minute that he is a good representative for this country.”

On NATO in Eastern Europe: “I think it’s very important to give reassurance to the Baltic states and to reaffirm very clearly that we are all part of NATO … It’s extremely important that we are there. As the Labour Party we are a founding member of NATO and we believe very strongly in that collective security.”

A new Cold War? “This feels rather more unpredictable and rather more frightening. The Cold War was very stable in many respects. I think what is much more worrying at the moment is an anxious feeling about Putin, followed by some 2 a.m. tweet by Trump … that is what worries all of us. During the Cold War there were ‘x’ amount of people who had to approve something before it was ever going to get done. There were huge stabilizing influences, and that is what made sure we kept the peace. The worry now is this unpredictability.”

Key line: “There is no advantage in abandoning our values … It gives the terrorists an easy victory.”

BEYOND THE M25

MUELLER’S MOMENT: Special Counsel Robert Mueller is today preparing to make his first arrests in the Russia investigation. The whole of Washington is holding its breath. CNN has the latest here.

LONDON CALLING

Westminster weather:☀️❄️☀️ A crisp, dry but cool autumn day with plenty of blue skies and sunshine. Temperatures no higher than 11C.

Norwegians would: A highlight of Playbook’s weekend was a trip to the Harold Pinter theater in Soho to see Oslo. For those not up to speed, this is the smash Broadway play about the Oslo Accords of 1993 and the diplomatic effort that preceded that momentous deal. The famous handshake between Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat on the White House lawn — now 24 years ago — has lived long in the collective memory. The extraordinary work of a team of little-known Norwegian facilitators has been largely forgotten.

Play of the year: Playbook has not yet made it to Labour of Love, the new James Graham play about life in the Labour Party. But if there is a better piece of political theater in London this year than Oslo, I will be seriously impressed. This is a gripping tale, superbly scripted and with a resonance reaching far beyond its own confines. It is a story about peace, and how men and women can create hope where none seems possible. Catch it if you can.

Coming attractions: Over the weekend the BBC announced several major new political documentaries for the months ahead. In one show former Shadow Chancellor and ‘Strictly’ sensation Ed Balls will head to the Deep South to meet Trump voters … Historian Lucy Worsley will look at “How women won the vote 100 years on” … “Kensington” will take a closer look at London’s most unequal borough in the light of the Grenfell Tower disaster. No scheduling released as yet.